To choose the winners of its 2011 True Cost to Own® Awards2, the team at Edmunds.com gathered data on every 2011 vehicle on the market and estimated the five-year cost of owning each. After comparing every vehicle, Chevrolet came out on top twice: The 2011 Equinox and the 2011 Silverado 2500HD Regular Cab pickup.

“The 2011 Chevy Equinox is a stylish and comfortable entry in the highly competitive small-crossover segment,” Edmunds.com says. “RAV4 and CR-V shoppers should take notice.” They also note Equinox’s “premium look inside and out,” quiet cabin with tons of storage, and highly fuel-efficient four-cylinder engine3.

For the Silverado, Edmunds.com says: “Notably improved with added capability, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD is an excellent choice for a heavy-duty truck.” Some of the highlighted features are “impressive hauling and towing capabilities; refined and quiet ride; solid build quality; responsive steering; comfortable seats.”

The True Cost to Own® takes multiple factors into account. The Total Cash Price includes MSRP, typically equipped options, and other standard charges, taxes and fees. Depreciation is the amount by which the value of a vehicle declines from its purchase price to the estimated resale value. Insurance and financing are based on a well-qualified purchaser.

Importantly, the calculation also includes fuel, based on revised EPA ratings, assuming 45% highway and 55% city driving, and maintenance and repairs. Maintenance is the estimated expense of both scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, including replacing tires and other parts.

Review

After last year’s significant and needed improvements to the Equinox, Chevy releases the 2011 model with few new changes. Still doing well in fuel savings thanks to the new engine configurations, the Equinox remains a capable performer that provides a good, capable and comfortable ride no matter which of the two engine choices you choose from. For 2011 the tried and true formula returns with a few methods of triumph over the competition.

Specifications

Few changes can be found in the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. With a starting MSRP of around $23,700, the Equinox is competitively priced within its class. Two robust engines – a four-cylinder and a V6 – offer decent power. Front wheel drive comes standard on the Equinox, while all wheel drive is available at additional cost. For most people, the 2011 Equinox has more than enough power and capability.

Specs for the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox are expected as follows:

Pricing: Specific prices will not be available until just before the 2011 models begin to sell late in 2010, but the price should remain similar to the $23,700 starting price for the base 2010 model.

Engine: A 2.4-liter Ecotec I-4 gives 182 horsepower which is fairly strong for a four cylinder. Also available is a V6 3.0-liter which gives 264 horsepower.

Fuel Economy: 22 miles per gallon city and 32 on the highway is very impressive in this class of vehicle, beating even the Ford Escape hybrid.

Car Safety Features: Standard traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes, front seat side airbags and side curtain airbags work together to give the 2010 Equinox a perfect five out of five stars in government crash tests and four out of five stars for the rollover rating.

Warranty: Chevrolet’s warranty is for 3-years/36,000 miles.

IntelliChoice 5-Year Cost of Ownership rating for the 2010 Equinox came out as “Above Average” to “Excellent” across most trims.

Exterior Features

The exterior design of the new Equinox has been described as “bold yet classy” featuring soft but not effeminate curves and a sophisticated look to it. Standard wheel size is 17-inch alloys with an option for a 19-inch alloy wheel upgrade. The Equinox features a one-piece rear liftgate, a single-horizontal-bar grille, raked-forward stance and an overall clean look.

Interior Features

Style is the order of the day for the 2011 Equinox with a two-tone color scheme availability, dual-cowl dashboard and clear and clean controls throughout. Chevrolet stepped away from the standard styling that you might expect for interior controls and has instead, produced a sleek styling for all of them that is refreshing.

The Equinox is a fairly large vehicle, and that makes for plenty of interior room both in the front and in the backseat which is capable of sliding forward or reclining. The cargo space offered, however, is not on part with the extra size of the car, being limited to just under 64 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded down. This is less than you can find in the Toyota RAV4 or Honda CR-V which are both smaller vehicles, but still more than you will get on the Ford Escape.

Other than strange-looking housings that give off a confusing vibe, the inside of the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox is well appointed and comfortable. Soft blue ambient lighting is subtle enough to be classy – not overbearing. The controls are laid out in an intuitive way, and the central stack is generally attractive. More importantly, materials quality is absolutely first-rate. You aren’t going to find a lot of cheap plastics or unthoughtful touches inside the Equinox.

Performance

You wouldn’t expect to get much performance out of a I-4 engine in a vehicle as large as the 2011 Equinox, but surprisingly, this engine provides adequate acceleration. The cabin is quiet for driving and the ride is comfortable on the 17-inch wheels.

On the Road

Cruising around the city in a 4-cylinder-equipped 2011 Chevrolet Equinox is pleasant. The engine is just powerful enough to make this car cruise along without a whole lot of effort. On the freeway, though, it’s a whole other story. If you plan to be on the freeway a lot, the V6 is probably your best bet. At 4,000 pounds, the Equinox is bulky enough to struggle a bit, even with the V6. Still, handling is wonderfully responsive and steering is, for the most part, great. The vast majority of drivers will feel that the Equinox is more than sufficient.

Under the Hood

The 2.4-liter 4-cylinder base engine on the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox produces 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. The 3.0-liter V6 gets 264 horsepower and 222 pound-feet of torque. Either way, you’re getting a pretty good dose of power. A 6-speed automatic transmission is the only available option; however, it includes a floor lever that lets you shift as if it’s a manual. The suspension is extremely well calibrated, lending the car a smooth, stately ride. It doesn’t hurt that several European design elements have been included.

Pros

There’s a whole lot to love about the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox. Seating is comfortable and supportive; headroom and legroom abound, in the front and in the back. An abundance of cup holders, bins and other storage features make it easy to stay organized while driving this crossover. Even the base trim level boasts a vast array of standard features, adding to the great deal that the vehicle brings to the table.

Cons

Like any vehicle, the 2011 Chevrolet Equinox does have its downfalls. At 63.7 cubic feet – with all of the seats folded down – cargo capacity is a little disappointing. Furthermore, the backseat doesn’t drop all the way down; you can’t create a truly flat cargo area in the back of the Equinox. Lackluster power – especially with the 4-cylinder engine – can’t cope with the car’s incredible heft and bulk. These flaws shouldn’t be deal-breakers for drivers who are sold on the crossover’s style, size and affordability.

The Chevrolet Equinox is part of a growing segment of “plus-sized” small crossover SUVs. Like other vehicles of this type, the Equinox provides the style and utility one normally associates with more traditional SUVs, but without their clumsy driving dynamics and poor fuel economy. As with other crossovers, the Equinox is built on a carlike platform that provides superior on-road comfort and crashworthiness.

There have been two Equinox generations. Earlier models were known for their roomy interiors and easy-driving nature, but they also suffered from substandard interior materials. A new Equinox has just debuted that offers sharp new styling as well as new engine choices for improved fuel economy.

Current Chevrolet Equinox

The current Chevrolet Equinox is in the first year of the all-new second generation. As before, it is a small/midsize SUV that ferries up to five passengers. It’s available in LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ trim levels. Standard equipment for the base LS and 1LT is fairly generous, while the 2LT adds items like automatic climate control and upgraded audio. The top-shelf LTZ tacks on upscale features like a power liftgate and leather upholstery. All models have stability control and a full complement of airbags as standard. Notable options on certain trims include a rear-seat entertainment system and a hard-drive-based navigation system.

Under the hood, the Equinox starts with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine good for 182 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Available on all but the LS is a 3.0-liter V6 that pumps out 264 hp and 222 lb-ft of torque. Both come with a six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive, with all-wheel drive optional.

In reviews, our editors have been quite impressed with the current Chevy Equinox. Unlike the previous version, which was competent but forgettable, this Equinox is strikingly stylish inside and out, and its ride is smooth and quiet. The one significant demerit concerns hauling ability: Given the Equinox’s relatively expansive exterior dimensions, its maximum cargo capacity should be better than a midpack 63.7 cubic feet. Overall, though, we think the Equinox is one of the best compact crossover SUVs on the market.

Standard on all models is the 182-HP ECOTEC 2.4L 4-cylinder. It is best in class hwy fuel economy at 32 MPG and can go 600 miles between fill ups. For added performance and towing capability, the 1LT, 2LT AND LTZ can be upgraded to 264-HP 3.0L V6 engine. All models have a 1500/3500 towing except for the LS which is 1500. Six-speed automatic transmission, StabiliTrack, variable-assist power steering, tire pressure monitor, four-wheel anti-lock brakes, six air bags, OnStar, XM radio, multiflex rear seating and LATCH system are standard on all models. The premium Pioneer sound, USB Port for MP3 players and rearview camera system is standard on the 2LT and LTZ and available on the 1LT. Back up sensors and heated seats are standard on the LTZ and available on the 2LT. The audio system with navigation and 40 GB hard drive and rear seat entertainment system with dual-mounted DVD screens is not standard on any model but is available on the 2LT and LTZ.